Celestron is a Global Sponsor of 100 Hours of Astronomy, an IYA2009 Cornerstone Project.

100 Hours of Astronomy is a 100-hour, round-the-clock, round-the-globe event that includes live webcasts from research observatories, public observing events and is designed to bring astronomy to the public around the world.

Celestron is also sponsoring  the opening ceremony of 100 Hours of Astronomy at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA on April 2nd.  This weekend will also be the grand opening of the much-anticipated exhibition Galileo, The Medici and The Age of Astronomy. This exhibition features many Galileo artifacts including one of the two remaining telescopes built and used by Galileo. Paolo Galluzzi, Director of the Institute and Museum of the History of Science in Florence, Italy which is loaning the artifacts to the Franklin Institute for this exhibition, will be on hand to speak about the importance of Galileo's telescopes and the discoveries he made with them as we look back 400 years to Galileo's time. This sets the stage for our 100-hour journey through time and space to modern telescopes around the world and in space. 

This special event will be webcast live and Celestron will be conducting star parties throughout the 100 Hours of Astronomy weekend during the opening ceremony festivities.

Visit http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/ to find an event in your area – or to get resources and information to plan one in your community!